NEWS
5 Ways to Cut Your Heating Costs This Winter
This upcoming winter, it’s expected that households in the US will spend more on energy costs than in prior years due to rising natural gas prices.
For many Americans, the idea of paying more for heating this winter isn’t just daunting, it’s anxiety-inducing. Many households already struggle to pay their bills each cycle.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to cut heating costs this winter. Find out what to do before the chill sets in.
1. Close the Gaps
Proper caulking, weather stripping, and draft stoppers can prevent chilly air from entering your home from your windows, doors, and gaps around the home. Sealing these gaps also prevents heat from escaping outside.
You can get window insulator kits, which are a good investment for homeowners in colder climates or with older windows. That said, it’s always a good investment to upgrade to energy-efficient windows when you can. If you can’t afford to replace your windows, consider getting coverings that will help, such as blinds and curtains.
2. Replace Your Home Insulation
Over time, old insulation can wear down and form holes that heat can escape through. If you have older insulation, it might be time to replace it.
Don’t forget about insulating your pipes. This is a simple step that reduces heat loss and shortens the time you wait for the water to heat up. Not only does this conserve water, but it’ll reduce energy costs too.
3. Install a Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are the wave of the future, and they can help you cut energy costs too. These devices are easily programmable, and learn your habits to adjust temperatures as needed to save you money.
You can monitor your habits and find areas where you can save, such as lowering the heat when no one is home or when everyone’s sleeping.
4. Get an HVAC Tune-Up
If your heating system isn’t running as efficiently as it could, you’ll likely see higher energy bills as a result. Heating systems that haven’t been maintained have to work harder to heat your home, using more energy in the process. Plus, running overtime can cause them to wear out faster.
The last thing you want is for your heater to break in the middle of winter!
Schedule an HVAC tune-up before winter rolls around. The solution might be as simple as changing your filter or cleaning the internal components.
However, if your system needs replacing, you should look into a heating service such as new HVAC installations in Dallas.
5. Add More Rugs and Curtains
You can keep your home warmer by adding rugs to your floors and hallways, hanging heavier curtains to block out the chill, and bringing out the blankets. While this may not make a huge difference on your bills, it’ll make it cozier inside.
If you keep the thermostat low to reduce costs, consider wearing sweaters and warm socks to keep yourself comfortable.
Reduce Heating Costs This Winter
We can’t prevent increases in fuel prices, but we can take steps to cut heating costs this winter. Use these tips to reduce the amount you owe on your monthly bills.
For more tips on how to make the most of your home or save money, check out our other content.
Khalil ur Rehman is a proud born and raised in Abbottabad. Khalil has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications including the Yahoo News and The Verge. As a journalist for The Hear Up, Khalil covers climate and science news. [email protected]
Consumers are provided with the knowledge that is necessary to know exactly what they are consuming by reading the labels attached to all packaged items. Labeling food is a legal requirement that food manufacturers must meet. Naturally, being aware of the components of the food you consume can assist you in making decisions that are better for your health.
In addition, you will find that comparing the nutrient profiles of various options is significantly simplified when you read the labels on the food you purchase. The nutritional value of various foods is typically tested at food nutrition testing facilities so that researchers may determine the nutritional worth of these items. Here are reasons why food labeling is important.
- It is a legal requirement
The labeling of food using prep-n-print direct thermal printer is considered to be a legal requirement for packing. If you are a food manufacturer, you must identify all food items by law. If you do not adhere to this, you could find yourself in some serious trouble. If the authorities discover that you are not complying with their regulations, they will first give you an improvement notice. This notice will explain what you are doing incorrectly, which regulations you are violating, the necessary steps you need to take to adhere to those regulations, and when you need to take those steps.
Even though you have been given an improvement notice, you are allowed to continue with your production; nonetheless, you must complete the measures outlined to bring your company into compliance within the allotted time. You will be committing a crime if you ignore the notification or continue to not comply even beyond the date provided, and this offense can lead to you being prosecuted.
The following information is required to be included on the labels of all pre-packaged foods in the United States:
• The name of the food product
• A list of all of the contents
• The percentage of particular ingredients
• Any directions for usage, such as cooking instructions, if applicable
• The “use by” or “best before” dates
• Instructions on how to properly store the product
• Contact information
• Origin of the product
- It helps you to practice good health.
One other compelling reason for labeling food is that it improves one’s understanding of the components that make up the food they eat. You will know the proportion of various nutrients, such as vitamins, fats, calories, minerals, etc. This information is, of course, essential since it enables you to increase the likelihood that you consume the foods that are beneficial to you. Labels make it simple to keep track of the number of various micronutrients you consume, which is especially helpful for preventing deficits in essential nutrients like vitamin D and iron. In addition, you can reduce the amount of sugar and salt you consume and ensure that you are eating a well-balanced diet. This can aid in preventing diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and specific forms of heart disease.
- Prevents you from purchasing foods that are not authentic.
The prevention of fraud is one of the primary goals of labeling requirements placed on food products. Without internationally recognized labels, food manufacturers and retailers might willfully mislead customers by putting misleading claims on product packaging and selling it to them. As a customer, you want to ensure that what you are getting is consistent with the advertised features of the product. When you buy chocolate, for instance, you want to ensure that what you are getting is genuinely chocolate. Food labeling using prep-n-print direct thermal printer comes into play at this point since it assures that the product is, in fact, the same as what is mentioned on the label.
- It aids in the prevention of allergic reactions.
Consumers who suffer from food allergies risk experiencing life-threatening symptoms if they consume foods to which they are allergic. Because of this, they need to exercise extreme caution regarding the food they are consuming. If a person mistakenly consumes a meal to which they are allergic, they will have an allergic reaction to the food, which in some instances can be so severe that it threatens their life.
Therefore, you should examine the product’s labeling and carefully read the list of components before using it. Have a look at what’s in it to determine if any of the components trigger an allergic reaction in you. If you are allergic to most substances in a food product, it is in your best interest to avoid eating that food.
Hamza Fazal is a reporter for The Hear UP. After graduating from the University of Abbottabad, Hamza got an internship at the NPR and worked as a reporter and producer. Hamza has also worked as a reporter for the Medium. Hamza covers health and science for The Hear UP.
Why Food Labeling Is Crucial
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